New and updated licence conditions related to pistachios originating from Iran

Imported pistachio products from Iran are currently implicated in an outbreak of Salmonella illnesses in Canada, and a series of recalls.  

In an effort to reduce the risk of further illnesses, CFIA has implemented new licence conditions.

1. The licence conditions that were implemented on September 27, 2025 have been updated. Refer to Regulatory requirements and licence conditions for importing pistachio products (UPDATE-December 2025).

2. The CFIA has also issued new regulatory requirements and licence conditions relating to pistachios and pistachio products imported before September 27, 2025, and that remain in the domestic supply chain. Refer to Regulatory requirements and licence conditions related to pistachios originating from Iran that were imported into Canada before September 27th, 2025 (December 2025).

The CFIA has also published the following:

• Notice to retail and food service businesses: Imported pistachios from Iran may contain Salmonella bacteria
• Consumer advisory – Imported pistachios from Iran: What you need to know

Please review this information and consider sharing with your membership as appropriate. I’ve included English and French links below.  We are available to meet with you to review the updated information and answer any questions that you may have.  

Regards,

Kristin Hill

Policy and Program Leader, Technical Expertise and Advice, Policy and Programs Branch

Canadian Food Inspection Agency

Chef, politiques et programmes, Expertise technique et conseils, Politiques et programmes

Agence canadienne d’inspection des aliments

Consumer Advisory

EN: https://recalls-rappels.canada.ca/en/alert-recall/imported-pistachios-iran-what-you-need-know

FR : https://recalls-rappels.canada.ca/fr/avis-rappel/pistaches-importees-iran-ce-que-vous-devez-savoir

Notice to retail and food service businesses:

EN: https://inspection.canada.ca/en/food-safety-industry/toolkit-food-businesses/food-notices-industry/pistachios-notice-industry

FR: https://inspection.canada.ca/fr/salubrite-alimentaire-lindustrie/trousse-doutils-entreprises-alimentaires/avis-lindustrie-aliments/avis-lindustrie-pistaches

Changes to conditions for importing pistachios:

EN: https://inspection.canada.ca/en/importing-food-plants-animals/food-imports/food-specific-requirements/pistachio-products

FR: https://inspection.canada.ca/fr/importation-aliments-vegetaux-ou-animaux/importation-daliments/exigences-propres-certaines-denrees/exigences-reglementaires-conditions-licence-limportation-produits-pistaches

New Licence conditions for SFCR licence holders:

EN: https://inspection.canada.ca/en/food-safety-industry/food-guidance-commodity/pistachio-licence-conditions

FR: https://inspection.canada.ca/fr/salubrite-alimentaire-lindustrie/exigences-produit-alimentaire/conditions-licence-pistaches